Service unit for air cleaners



July 16, 1940'.

J. BORN 2,208,244

- SERVICE UNIT FOR AIR CLEANERS Filed Feb. 13, 19:59 2 Sheets-Sheeji 1 INVENTOR fillies M 1302' ATTORNEYS July 16, 1940. I J, BORN I 2,ZQ8,Z44

1 SERVICE UNIT FOR AIR CLEANERS Filed Feb. 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "1,111,111 n -11, .1 'III a111,.

IIIIIIII'II'IIIIIIIl/IIIII// ATTORNEYS Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES snnvrcn UNIT ron am mamas 'Jnlius M.- Born, St.

m, ill l' ol', y 1111118 l. mesne assignments, to Vulcan Mannfac 00., Inc., St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application February 13, 1939, Serial No. 256,183 6 Claims. (01. 91-45).

An object of my invention is to provide a service unit for air cleaners, the present application being a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 156,375, filed July 29, 1937 and issued Sept. 26, 1939, as Patent N0. 2,174,311.

Another object is to provide a service unit which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple I to operate and maintain.

Still a further object is to provide a cleanin and reoiling unit for air cleaners having a reservoir for cleaning fluid and convenient means for withdrawing the cleaning fluid therefrom and projecting it through an air cleaner merely by applying a compressed air chuck to the unit, such ll as is found available at garages and service stations.

A further object is to provide the unit with means for drying the air cleaner by evaporating the cleaning fluid therefrom, this also being acgig complished by applying a compressed air chuck to the unit.

Another object is to provide a container connected with the unit for containing a supply of oil to reoil the air cleaner after it iscleaned and :5 dried, the 011 being withdrawn therefrom anddischarged into the air cleaner by applying an air chuck to an air nozzle provided therefor.

Still a further object is to provide aunit which, during the cleaning, drying and reoiling of an no air cleaner, involves the process of flrst discharging cleaning fluid therethrough; second,. discharging air therethrough' to dry the cleaner, and third, discharging oil into the air cleaner for reoiling it for its intended service. 35 Still another object is to provide means within the container oi the unit forsupporting air cleaners and other articles to be cleaned, one of such supports being in the form of a fluted and flared casting which is effective to deflect clean- 40 ing fluid in the desired direction toward a particular type of article being cleaned.

' Further'obiects are to provide a hold-down element in the container for the articles being cleaned, a novel means to hold an oil cup in such a position that it can be readily removed for refilling, and a selectively closable valve which is readily operated for the purpose of retaining cleaning fluid in the container instead of permitting it to return to the reservoir.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination oi the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are at- 55 tained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,

pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a service unit for air cleaners embodying my invention; 6 Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-4 of Figure 1;

, Figures 3 and 4 arediagrammatic views showing respectively the steps of cleaning and-drying the air cleaner by means of my service unit; 10 Figure. 5 is a sectional view similar to a portion of Figure 1 illustrating a modified type of reoiling container for my service unit;

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar -to the upper portion of Figure 1 showing modifications of my structure; 2

Figures 7, and 8 are a plan and a sectional view, respectively (the section being taken on the line 88 of Figure 7), showing a rack structure which can be used in my device for the purpose go of supporting certain types of air cleaners or other articles to be cleaned in the unit;

Figure 9 is a front view of a bail for supporting an oil container, the side view ofthe bail being shown in Figu e 6; 2

' Figure 10 is a sectional view similar to the lower portion of Figure 6 showing another supporting device for, an article being cleaned in the cleaning unit;

Figure 11 is an enlarged plan view of the support shown in Figure 10, and

' Figure 12 is anenlarged view of a portion of Figure 6, showing a return valvein closed position, wherein as in Figure 6 it is shown in open position. I

On the accompanying drawings I have used the'reference numeral In to indicate a base. A

tubular post-like reservoir ll extends upwardly therefrom. The post II is secured to the base It by means of a cleanout nipple II. The upper end of the nipple. I2 is threaded into a closure plate I! formed on the bottom of the reservoir II, and which is welded in position as indicated at l 4. Within the base II a lock nut Ii is positioned on the lower end of the nipple II and a cleanout 45 can It closes the lower end of the nipple. A drain cock 'll projects into the side of the reservoir H and is located slightly above the bottom plate l3. At the top of the post or reservoir II, I provide a head plate It, above which is mounted a so container comprising a, bottom part I! and a cover 26. The bottom part II, the plate II and the upper end of the reservoir H are secured together by means of a series of bolts 2 I. The head plate It has an air inlet passageway 22, a clean- 6 ing fluid passageway or nozzle 23 and an oil and air passageway. 24. An air nipple or nozzle 25 communicates with the passageway. 22 and is adapted for connection of the usual air or tire chuck therewith for discharging air into the reservoir II to displace its contents.

' The contents of the reservoir ll may comprise any suitable cleaning fluid, such as gasoline, indicated at 26 in Figure 3,- and this fluid is displaced through an intake pipe 21 leading to the nozzle 23. I

An air and oil nozzle communicates with one end of the passageway 24 while the other end thereof communicates with an upright pipe 29. The pipe 29 has-an air nozzle 39 at its upper end and a Venturi tube 3 I extending into its side! The pipe 29 and the nozzle 3| are located in an oil container 32 carried by the base plate IS.

The cover 20 is hinged to the container bottom l9 as indicated at 33. A handle 34 is provided for the convenience of the operator in opening the container. Louvered perforations 35 are provided in the cover 20 to permit the escape of air without permitting the escape of any droplets of cleaning fluid or oil which might be projected into the cover 20.

As shown in Figure 5, the oil container may comprise a transparent receptacle 3211 having a Venturi nozzle 3la; The nozzle 31a cooperates with an air nozzle 38 which in turn is connected with the air nipple 30a to' spray oil by Venturi action into the air stream flowing to the passageway 24a. Air, in passing from the nozzle 3la, will draw oil through a valve 39 when open and a tube 10. As the oil recedesin the receptacle 32 the quantity thereof being used up can be observed by ascale 40 thereon.

The receptacle 32a is readily removable, for

instance, by being screw-threaded into a cap 4! connected with the valve 39. The receptacle 320 may be filled with oil and during the process of .reconditioningthe air cleaner the drying process may be completed while the valve 39 is closed and after its completion it is merely necessary to open the valve for reoiling the air cleaner, while the air chuck is still maintained in engagement with the air nipple 30a.

In Figure 6, I show a modified form in which parts corresponding to the previous figures bear the same reference numerals with the addition of b. A plate 13b is supported on the tubular reservoir llb and has the container parts I91: and 29!: mounted thereon. The cleaning fluid intake pip 21b terminates in nozzle 23b which is surrounded by an air nozzle 42. The air nozzle and the air intake nipple 25b. The nipple 25b is adapted for coaction with an air chuck so that when air from the chuck is discharged from the nozzle 42 it will draw cleaning fluid from the nozzle 23b by Venturi action and discharge it through the air cleaner AC. The air cleaner is thereby emciently cleaned by the combined action of the air and cleaning fluid.

A' support is shown for the air cleaner vAC in the form of a ring 43; A plurality of legs 44 support the ring 43 in an elevated position above the bottom of the container l9b. As an aid to holding the cleaner in position on the ring, I provide a hold-down element 44 preferably in the form of a ring. It is connected by a plurality of springs 45 to the periphery of the container so that the springs are under tension, as illustrated, for holding the air cleaner in position. When inserting or withdrawing the air cleaner, the ring 44 can be tipped up edgewise and pushed to a position close to one side of the container to permit the air cleaner to pass it.

My cleaning unit is adaptable for cleaning other articles as well as air cleaners. In Figure 7, I show a supporting rack consisting of a plurality of wire rings 46 and radially extending supports 41 formed of wire. The various wires are welded together and the supports 41 are adapted to rest on the ring 43.' Various articles, such as automobile engine parts or air cleaner sumps and breather caps and screens can be placed on the rack wires 46 and, thereby supported for cleaning purposes. In Figure 10, I showanother type of support indicated generally at S and particularly adapted for supporting a sump member 48 of an air cleaner. The sump member 49 is in an inverted position so that the bottom thereof where sediment collects can be cleaned by cleaning fluid projected from the nozzle 23b.

Thesupport S is in the form of a flared and fluted casting having its base end uppermost. It is provided with a bore 49 adapted to surround the oil nozzle 28b so that the oil nozzle thereby acts as a support and positioning means for the,

member S. Fluting of the member S is indicated at 50. The nozzle '28?) supports the member S in such position relative to the nozzle 23b that the cleaning fluid is deflected by the support and into the bottom of the-sump 48. A cylindrical flange 5| is provided in the upper end of the support S to engage the sump and support it.

In connection with the reservoir IIband the container I 9b and 20b, I provide return openings 52 and 53. A valve member 54 is normally open relative thereto. ported by a wire clip 55 which has a hook end 56 in a notch 51 of the ring 43. The weight of the valve causes it to remain open.

- A spring 58 is connected with the clip 55 and has a hook member 59. The hook member '59 terminates in aring 60 adapted to be manually engaged for stretching the spring and engaging the hook with the edge of the ring 43 as shown in Figure 12. This closes the valve for the purpose of retaining the cleaning fluid in the container l9b20bwhen desired. For instance, it is sometimes desirable to project the entire charge of cleaning fluid from the reservoir llb into the container IOU-20b and in that event the valve 54 can be closed. When it is desired to return the cleaning fluid to the reservoir, then the valve can be opened and a quick return will be eflected through the openings 52' and 53.

Am mm Snavrcmc Psocsss 1. Cleaning the air cleaner Initially a quantity of gasoline or other cleaning fluid is poured into the container bottom I9 and flows down the pipe 21 to flll the reservoir l I. When it starts running out of the air chuck 25, the operator knows that the reservoir is full.

The first step of the process involves projecting the cleaning fluid 29 through the air cleaner as illustrated in Figure 3. After the air cleaner, indicated at AC, is placed in the container l9-2l (these cleaners being usually a perforated sheet metal container filled with copper wool or other air filtering material which is oiled to catch dust from the air passing through the air cleaner) an air or tire chuck 35 of'a compressed air hose 3'! is applied to the air nozzle 25 for discharging The valve member 54 is sup- I air into the reservoir ||,.as indicated by'the dash 1g 21, the air chuck 30. which at first continues the cleaning process line arrows. The cleaning fluid 26 is thereby displaced through the pipe 21 and nozzle 23, the nozzlespraying the air cleaner AC as indicated by the solid line arrows.

The cleaning fluid will collect in the container bottom Is, as indicated at 26a, during this step of the process, the excessair escaping through the louvered openings 25.

2. Drying the air cleaner After the cleaning fluid 26 base been displaced to the level of the lower end or the pipe is applied to the air nozzle as any of the cleaning fluid 26a remaining in, the container bottom I! will be projected through the air cleaner AC.

As soon as all of this fluid has drained back into the reservoir ll, through the nozzle 23, however, then air'only will pass through the air cleaner and be discharged through the louvered openings 35, this step of the process being continued until the cleaner has been thoroughly dried.

' 3. Reoiling the air cleaner The oil-container 32 is then filled with a reoiling fluid 38, such as No. S. A. E. crank case oil, to about the level illustrated in Figure 1. The air chuck is then reapplied to the air nozzle 30 and will draw the oil 38 from the container 32 in through the tube by Venturi aotion and spray it from the nozzle 38 into the air cleaner. i

' When the supply of oil has been exhausted, the cleaner will be thoroughly oiled and ready for another period-of service.

The cleaning fluid 26 maybe re-used a number of times for successive air cleaner service operations. By permitting it to stand in the reservoir I i, the dirt will settle to the bottom and may be cleaned out by removing the cap l6, after draining out thc'fluid from which the sediment has settled through the drain cock i1. Occasionally, of course, the supply of cleaning fluid 26 must be replenished to take care of evaporation, although the fluid from the drain cock' I! can be used. I

The unit is self-contained and may be operated efficiently and effectively by the mere introduction of compressed air to the nozzles 25 and 30 in the manner described.

, In Figures 6 and 9, I show a modified structure for holding the oil container 32b in position against the head member Mb. This mechanism consists of a ball 6! having fingers 62 located in sockets 63 of the head lib. A cross piece 66 is slidably mounted on the bail GI and urged to engage the container 32b by springs 65, the springs thereby biasing the container to engage the head in such manner that the container can be readily detached for refilling.

The bail 6i permits ready removal of the container 32b for replenishing the oil supply therein.

It is merely necessary to move the container downwardly against the tension of the springs 65 and then swing it out from between the arms or the bail 6i and remove it from the cross piece Bl. These operations are reversed when replacing the container-in position.

From the air cleaner servicing process just described in three steps, in connection with Figures 1 to 5 of the 'drawings'together with-the description of the Figures 6 to 12, it is believed that the'ope'ratio'ns of Figures 6 to 12 are obvious. Changes of the character shown in Figures 5 to .12 inclusive may bemade in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention. It is therefore my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use oi mechanical. equivalents which may be reasonably included within their. scope.

What I claim as my invention and desire to sesure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 1. In a. device of the class described, a container for an air cleaner. a nozzle directed toward the interior of said container, means within said container for supporting an air cleaner in position to receive on projected from said nozzle, an oil container. suspended below said- 7 first container and connected thereto by passageway, and means for withdrawing oil from said oil container by Venturi action and projecting it, together with the compressed air used to eflect such Venturi action through said passageway and nozzle into the air cleaner for reoiling the air cleaner.

2. In a device of the class described, a container for an air cleaner, a cover for cooperation with said container to completely enclose the air cleaner, a nozzle opening into thebottom oi said container, a reoiling device comprising a fitting having an air passage therein communicating with said nozzle, an air chuck nipple connected with said fitting to receive air from an air chuck and discharge it through said passage into said container, an oil container head supported by said fitting, a tube depending therefrom and conporting head therefor, a bail connected there-. with to support said oil container on said supporting head, a passageway from said oil container to the bottom of said first container and means for propelling oil from said oiicontainer through said passageway to said first container.

4. In a device oi the class described, a container for an air cleaner,a cover therefor, a reoiiing device comprising an oil container, a supporting head therefor, a bail connected therewith, a cross piece slidable on said ball and en-- gageable with said 011 container, resilient means urging said cross piece and thereby said oil coritainer toward said supporting head, a passageway from said oil container to the bottom of said first container and means for propelling oil from said 011 container through said passageway to said first container.

5. In a device of the class described, an openable container adapted to receive and entirely enclose an air cleaner, a nozzle opening into said container, means including a passageway for discharging air through said nozzle, an oil contain er, a tube having an intake located below a supply of oil therein, said tube communicating with said means for discharging air through said passageway and nozzle whereby to draw oil from said tube by Venturi action, mix it with air in said passageway for effecting such Venturi action and discharge the mixed oil and air through said nozzle, and a shut-oft valve between said oil container and said air discharging means.

6. In a device or the class described, a con-- 'tainer for an air cleaner, a cover therefor, a nozsaid fitting, a tube extending downwardly therefrom and connected with said passage at its upper end, an open top oil container mounted against the bottom of said oil container head and receiving the lower end of said tube, and a bail to 5 retain said oil container against said head.

JULIUS M. BORN. 

